. >>> here in the u.s., a promising sign of improvement for the nation's job numbers. the unemployment rate is at the lowest it's been in nearly two years. the economy grew by 192,000 jobs in february, and the national unemployment rate dropped to 8.9%. that is the first time it's been under 9% since april of 2009. that is providing some hope that companies now might feel more confident about the economy and will continue hiring this year. in california, unemployment fell just slightly, from 12.5% to 12.4%. >>> governor brown's deadline is just five days away, but there is progress at the state capitol for a potential budget deal, and it might include reform for the state workers pension system. the deal is likely to include $12.5 billion worth of cuts, plus an $11 billion tax extension measure on a special state-wide ballot in june. state senate president pro tem darryl steinberg says he's confident he will have the republican support needed to strike that deal. >> we're hearing that some republicans may be willing to grant an extension of taxes on the ballot for june